Topic: CTC Review: 2008 Volvo XC70

[random006]

Gorgeous looking vehicle, inside and out.  The dash actually makes "plain" a good thing.  The price seems in line with its siblings and predecessors, although quite a bit rich for my blood, even if I were still in the market for something that large.

[Wolverine]

I love this Volvo, saw one of those past models the other day, really great. But I guess that the Taurus X is a better deal talking about cost/benefit.

[davidm]

Are the seats no longer 40/20/40?  I love that about our XC70.

I'm happy to say I drive the snot our of our XC70 when baby is not in the back seat.  It goes pretty good and handles better than my V40 (that's not saying much I admit).  A little slow off the line, but surprisingly fast once at speed.

I'm as much of a FWD hater as any (thus why I consider the V40 a bit of punishment for not earning more), and I don't find it irksome or heavy-FWD feeling in my XC70.  The only annoyance compared to past experiences with scooby and Audi AWD systems, is on slippery launch, the lag caused by the turbo+weigh+auto tranny+Haldex slippage is very noticeable and not smoothly handled.  The Haldex seems to kick in right as the turbo spools and you get this sudden lurch forward.  Overall, we are very happy with the XC70 so far (we've owned this '04 for about 6 months).

[wing]

David, pretty sure I folded all those seats down in folds.

[davidm]

David, pretty sure I folded all those seats down in folds.

See if there is a release latch right next to the center headrest.  The photos of the trunk with the seats up look like they've got the fabric cuts for the 40/20/40 seats.  It's great, to have 60/40 on either side, or have just the 20 drop for a larger passthrough like effect.

Looking at the specs for my 04, the lbs/ft-lb of torque is 15.7 (about the same as a 128 or my V40).  Not fast, but not super pokey. (3700 lbs for 236 ft-lbs of torque).

[davidm]

http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2008/index.php?level=picture&id=2446

In this pic you can clearly see the 3 cuts and latches for the 40/20/40 seats.  See the latch on the upper right hand side of the center section.

[wing]

Ah yes, so I suppose they drop 60/40 or 40/20/40 which is even better.

Wow the '04 weights 3700lbs?  Volvo lists the '08 at a MINIMUM 4100lbs I'm sure my tester is closer to 4300 with all the goodies.

[davidm]

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/volvo/xc70/100278284/specs.html

3699 lbs.  Very few weight-related goodies to add (upgraded sound, no boosters, no sub).

That is a big weight jump now that I think about it.  Who'd have thunk my car would seem svelte.  Actually, compared to some of the new BMW's it is a bit of a lightweight.

[airbalancer]

When I sat in XC70 last fall I found I cound not sit in the rear seat once I had the seat adjusted to my driving position
"What I did get a lot of time to play with is the collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control."
Like you said in a large city it would impossble to use this feature unless everyone had it.
In the open hiway it could be usefull if you come up someone doing way under the limited and need to slow down.
Would it work in the fog, and you came up to someone would did not have their lights on, would it stop you so you did not run into them?

[MKII]

Volvo will introduce a system (City Safety System) which will be for Urban driving for 2009.
http://wardsauto.com/ar/volvo_city_safety/

Explaination for some of Volvo's new safety features and what they do.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a radar sensor to help the driver maintain the distance to the vehicle in front. ACC should primarily be seen as a comfort-enhancing function, but it contributes at the same time to more controlled driving when the traffic rhythm is uneven.

Collision Warning with Auto Brake Function (CW) helps reduce the risk of frontal impact. If the Volvo approaches another vehicle from behind and the driver does not react, the system alerts the driver with audible and visual signals. If the risk of a collision nonetheless continues to increase despite the warning, the brake support system is activated. Thereafter, if the system senses that a collision is likely to occur, then the brakes are applied up to 50%.

Distance Alert helps keep the time gap to the vehicle in front, also functions when the ACC is disengaged. If the gap becomes shorter than selected, a heads-up display is illuminated to warn driver.

Driver Alert this unique system uses a camera to monitor the cars movements between the lane markings. The system calculates whether you risk losing control of the vehicle. An audible and test message warning are used if the risk is assessed as "high".

Lane Departure Warning is activated if the car should cross one of the road markings without an obvious reason. This system helps to prevent road departure accidents and head-on collisions due to temporary distractions.

Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS) registers if another vehicle is in the offset rear blind spot along either side of the car and the driver is alerted via a visual signal.

Above systems can be disengaged.

Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) helps stop the driver being distracted by non-essential information in pressing situations, for instance by delaying incoming phone calls or SMS.

[davidm]

When I sat in XC70 last fall I found I cound not sit in the rear seat once I had the seat adjusted to my driving position
"What I did get a lot of time to play with is the collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control."
Like you said in a large city it would impossble to use this feature unless everyone had it.
In the open hiway it could be usefull if you come up someone doing way under the limited and need to slow down.
Would it work in the fog, and you came up to someone would did not have their lights on, would it stop you so you did not run into them?

Wow, you must be really tall (or at least a long inseam).  I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam and it feels incredibly spacious in the back seat behind me.

[airbalancer]

6-1, could be the size 13 that makes things worst